Walking tests for stroke survivors: a systematic review of their measurement properties

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an overview of walking tests including their measurement properties that have been used in stroke survivors. METHOD: Electronic databases were searched using specific search strategies. Retrieved studies were selected by using specified inclusion criteria. A modified consensus-based standards for the selection of health status measurement instruments (COSMIN) checklist was applied for methodological quality assessment of the included studies. A quality assessment for statistical outcomes was used to assess measurement properties of the walking tests. Tests that were included were categorized according to the framework of the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). RESULTS: Thirty-two studies, evaluating 23 walking tests, were included. The tests assessed walking using the outcome measures of walking speed, walking distance, functional ambulation and walking on different surfaces. The methodological design and statistical methods of most studies evaluating reliability and criterion validity were sufficient, and found the outcome measures to be reliable and valid. However, data on measurement error, minimal important difference and minimal important change were lacking and responsiveness was correctly evaluated in one study only. CONCLUSIONS: Many walking tests have been clinimetrically evaluated in stroke survivors. Most walking tests were found to be reliable and valid.